Product review: S&L-Winyer Battery Powered Liquid Siphon

 

 The siphon runs on either two D batteries or six AA batteries.  

⭐ The hose that goes into the water is 17 3/4"
⭐ The draining hose is 35 1/2"
⭐ The diameter of the water outlet is 1"

I was pleasantly surprised to find a mesh cover, so I can use it on dirty water.  The siphon works fine, but it does not drain the pan dry.  Some water remains.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of S&L-Winyer Battery Powered Liquid Siphon

Product review: Amazon Basics 8-Hole Hook and Loop Sanding Discs

 

I like:

⭐ Good fit for my Black & Decker sander
⭐ Reasonably priced
⭐ Good variety

I do not like:
⭐ Nothing

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★  

Review of Amazon Basics 8-Hole Hook and Loop Sanding Discs

Product review: Little Giant Ladders, Jumbo Step, 3-Step, 2 Foot, Step Stool, Aluminum, Type 1AA, 375 lbs Weight Rating, (11903)

 

The Little Giant step stool replaced a step stool without a handlebar.  I can't believe the difference; I feel so secure on top of it! 

The listing description did not have all the measurements I wanted to know in advance:

* Each step is 8.5" D x 13.5" W*
* Floor to first step = 9"
* Floor to second step = 18"
* Floor to third step = 27"
* From the third step to handlebar top = 27"
* Front legs extend 10" forward
* Feet 2" x 3"
* Weight 16 pounds

Some other notes:

* One of the things I use the step stool for is to change batteries in my Arlo video camera, hung outside under the porch. I stand on the stool that is inside and reach forward.  The front legs of this step stool extend forward 10". This places me too far away from the camera, and I can't reach it leaning forward, which I could do with my old step stool. I managed to do it by placing the step stool sideways and then reaching out to the side rather than forward.

* Carrying the step stool requires me to hold it by a metal edge which really digs into my hand.  I wish there were a silicone pad on the edge of the step so it was easier to carry. I keep a small hand towell near the step stool, so my hand has some soft protection.

Overall, fabulous step stool. I just wish I bought it earlier, it would have saved me from many anxious climbs.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: 3M General Purpose 45 Spray Adhesive for high density foam

I purchased this spray to glue upholstery high-density foam, and it did a really nice job.  Not only did it do a good job, but it also had no odor.  The fact that this is an unscented glue was a pleasant surprise!

When you spray it on, you, need to wait a bit until it becomes tacky. I found wearing gloves very helpful as when it gets on your skin; it is hard to get off (yep, I started without gloves).

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: E-Z Ancor Tap-N-Lock Utility Screws and Anchors

I picked up a set of Tab-N-Lock anchors for hollow walls at a local store. The pictures shows that 3/4 of an inch of the green plastic will fold and will form a fairly long anchor compared to the other models of anchors I have tried. That sounded like a good idea,

Before starting the job I checked for studs. The area I needed to put the hook in did not have a stud. The instructions said to just tap in the green anchor without pre-drilling. I made a small pilot hole just so the anchor went in exactly where I wanted. Then I began tapping in the anchor. The ancor went in about half way but as the anchor got thicker and had more resistance from the wall it would not budge. I pounded it harder and was able to get in more but the thick head of the anchor  just would not go in. I attempted to remove the anchor first my hand, then with pliers. At which point the head of the anchor broke off, leaving a couple of mi-limiters of green plastic sticking out of the wall, and chucks of the anchor head in my hand (those chucks are included in the photo). Then I had to spend a lot of time sanding the plastic and re-speckling the wall. I tried again in a new spot with similar results - the thick part of the anchor is just no strong enough to go through plaster. At least the second time I was able to pull out the ancor without leaving plastic in the wall. After another re-speckling session, I went back to the standard anchors and the job was completed quickly.

These anchors sounded like a good approach unfortunately in practice they do not work.


You can find these anchors on Amazon by following this link. AVOID!

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: Allied Tools Portable Work Station

This work station has a nice size and shape. The gap between the particle boards can be adjusted. The work stations folds up for storage. I like its overall design.

The legs are made out of metal and the top particle board. Unfortunately, the metal parts are extremely flimsy. How flimsy? The corners of each leg got bent during shipping and the metal is so soft that I was able to straighten most of the pieces with my bare hands. And I have very weak hands! This workstation is not for heavy duty work.  

I purchased this work station in the summer of 2017.  I am not using it for anything heavy so it held up fine through several summer projects. 




You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Cordless Micro Rotary Tool by Masterworks

This is very handy tool. It is good for grinding off burrs, good for making precise cuts in plastic, wood, metal.  It also works well as a sander and polisher for small objects, or getting into small crevices.

The rotary tool is easy to use, the only tricky part is how to change the accessories. To do so you need press down a button that a picture of the lock on it.  This allows you to remote or tighten attachments.  If you find the sanding bands do not fit tightly find a screw at the top of the sanding drum and rotate it, the drum will expand for tighter fit.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Masonry Drill Bit Set by BLENDX

I used the drills to make holes in concrete basement walls. They also rated to be used on brick, wood, porcelain floor tile, and marble. The drill bits have tungsten carbide Tip. Their hardness is 90 HRA hardness. I liked that the drill bits come in a nice plastic case.

If you need to create one or two holes, one could use a regular drill with a masonry drill bit. If you are doing a more serious job the best results with least amount of effort will come with a hammer drill or a rotary hammer drill.   A standard drill is more difficult to use because the rotating action is less strong and take more effort and time to break the concrete. The hammering action of a hammer drill will chisel away the concrete while the rotary action drills the hole. This creates a nice even hole.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Masterworks 20V Cordless Drill

Besides the drill this drill contains drill bit, screw driver heads, flexible shaft for hard to reach places, the charger, and the manual.  The package does NOT include a case.  For now I am keeping it in the box, but I am plan to buy a separate case tfor storage.  The drill has 3/8" (10 mm) chuck.  The drill has variable settings for torque: 0 to 15 settings.   Larger screws require more torque to drive than small ones.  More torque will set a screw deeper into material, less torque will prevent it stripping.

The drill runs on 18 volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery, it is shipped partially discharged and needs to be fully charged before first use.  The firs time it took me overnight to charge it.  Subsequent recharging requires 5 hours if it is almost fully discharged, less if it is partially discharged. The green light is the power indicator. When the charger is connected to AC the green light is on. The red light is the charging indicator. Both red and green light are on when the battery is charging.  The red light will turn off once charging is complete.

To remove the battery from the drill you need to depress the button on the front of the battery pack to release it and then it slides out. When you put it back in make sure it clicks to latch in.

The drill's weight is 2 pounds and 8.6 oz.  I find it easy to use.  The handle is comfortable and 3.5 pound is pretty easy to handle.
Instructions say to prolong the life of the tool, do not continually for work more than 20 minutes at a time.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★

Product Review: iHuniu IHN10157 Precision Screwdriver Set

This tool kit really shines especially in comparison to my old tool kit. I hoped to find a tool kit that is better in two areas where the old tool kit falls shot and iHuniu does:

1) iHuniu case holds all tool tips well. Even if I turn the case upside down or shake it every tip stays in its slot. My old took kit case does not hold the tips well, sometimes when the case is tipped during storage the tips fall out so I have to put tips back into their slots. Not with iHuniu!

2) Every tip in iHuniu kit is labeled with an engraved size so you know exactly what each tip is. Common sense, right? But not all tool kits label tips. My old tool tips have no labels so by now I am not sure what each tip is, I just have to eye ball their size.

The tools are machined well - every tip has nice clean edges.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: PYLE PLDM22 Handheld Laser Distance Meter with Backlit Lcd Display

This laser meter is very accurate. It is rated to be accurate within 1/16 of an inch. The key to getting a good reading is to position the back of the unit (i.e. the side opposite to where the laser is emitted) where you want the measuring to begin. The meter is 5 inches long so if you think you are measuring from the front of the unit it would look like the measurement is 5 inches off.

I started by measuring the accuracy on the gridded mat which is 18 inches long. As you in attached video I placed the laser meter one inch into the grid and got a reading of 17" inches. In all experiments with different distances and different background colors the measurements were accurate.

I also liked that the I could turn on back lighting on the meter, so I could see the numbers very clearly. The meter comes with study canvas pouch, which has a loop on the back so you can carry it on a belt or hang on something when you need free hands.

The laser meter runs on two AAA batteries (which are included). It auto-shut offs after 3 minute of inactivity.

The unit is 5.1" x 2.16" x 1.1" and is splash proof.

Pyle laser meter has several functions: it can measure as a single measure, do continuous measuring, perform additions and subtractions of the measurements, it can calculate areas, volumes, Pythagoras (given 2 sides of a triangle calculate the length of the third side) and so forth. I found the manual explained the functions clearly.

The only negative I can say is that the laser meter has no memory of my settings. For example, when I switch units to inches the next time I turn it back on the units go back to meters, so I have to reset it every time.

Overall, I am impressed. Very accurate measurements and it is easy to use.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Heavy Duty Adhesive Tape 2" X 30 Yards / Viewm Cloth Gaffers Tape

Gaffer tape is a fabric tape with a strong adhesive.  It is similar to duct tape, but a major difference is that it can be removed cleanly because it uses a petroleum-based adhesive rather than rubber adhesive used in duck tape.  The duck tape is easier to produce so it is cheaper.  However, if you need to remove the tape without leaving gunk behind gaffer type is what you need. This is why it has been traditionally used during theater and stage work as they need to tape and remove tape on regular basis.

Gaffer tape comes in many colors, I use a black  tape when I need to make the tape less visible and a white tape when I need to write on it. I mend tears in plastic or keep things taped in place. It even used it for an emergency water hose repair when it busts. 

The white tape is useful when you need to write on it.  For example, when I need to label cables I write what the cable is going to on my gaffer tape and then tape it to the cable. When I need to remove it is easy and it leave no sticky residue behind.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Viewm Cloth Gaffers Tape Heavy Duty Adhesive Tape 2" X 30 Yards

Gaffer tape is a fabric tape with a strong adhesive.  It is similar to duct tape, but a major difference is that it can be removed cleanly because it uses a petroleum-based adhesive rather than rubber adhesive used in duck tape.  The duck tape is easier to produce so it is cheaper.  However, if you need to remove the tape without leaving gunk behind gaffer type is what you need. This is why it has been traditionally used during theater and stage work as they need to tape and remove tape on regular basis.

Gaffer tape comes in many colors, I use a black  tape and a white tape to make the tape blend in for various home projects. I mend tears in plastic or keep things taped in place. It even used it for an emergency water hose repair when it bust. 

The white tape is also handy when you need to write on it.  For example, when I need to label cables I write what the cable is going to on my gaffer tape and then tape it to the cable. When I need to remove it is easy and it leave no sticky residue behind.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Veliis Angle Template, Adjustable Square Tool

When I use this measuring tool it feels like having an extra hand!  I can use it as a square or as a triangle or a trapezoid and I need just one to hold it while I mark, position or cut with the other hand.

The tools is made out of light weight plastic. Each corner has an adjustable nob which you loosen and tighten to change the shape and then lock it in. The measures are in inches and centimeters. Simple, easy, clever!  I like it!


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Drillpro Multi Ratcheting Screwdriver 6 in 1 With LED Light Portable Kit Tool Set

This screwdriver has a light as both ends .  Having a light as part of the screwdriver is often very handy when I am working in a dark corner.  The screwdriver is a bit hard because of the batteries, but you don't need to hold a flash light in another hand. 

It rungs on two AAA batteries.  You need to provide your own, it comes without batteries.  I thought the screwdriver bits were a bit hard to remove, but other than that it works very well.   To remove the screwdrivers bits you to slide the silicone ring up and then lift a plastic strip which releases the bit.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: LCH Measuring Tape Measure, 26ft(8m)

This is heavy duty measuring tape. It feel very solidly made and it weighs 1 pound 2.7 oz.

  
It can measure up to 26 feet or 8 meters.  I like its metal catch on the end of the tape. It is larger than my other tapes, it sticks out 1/2" and it has two small magnets built into it.  If you are measuring from something metal the magnets latch on.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: VonHaus Corded Oscillating Multi Tool Kit

This is a nice tool for cutting, scraping and sanding. I used to remove peeling paint and it was a lot faster and easier than using a rotating sander attached to my drill.

The oscillating tools comes in a nice plastic case. It includes the following attachments:
1. Sandpaper pads with different coarse level (total of 9)
2. Scraping attachment
3. Half Moon Saw
4. Cutting blade

The tool with the sand paper attachment attached weights just under 3 pounds. Even though the handle is fairly thick I did not find it to be uncomfortable to hold even though my hands are fairly small. I felt the vibration but always felt that I was in total control of the tool and my grip on it. On/off switch is comfortably located right on top of the tool.

The heads securely attach with a washer. It is tightened by a hex key which comes as part of the kit. The heads can be attached in one of 12 positions - which ever angle feels most comfortable for a particular job. I thought the triangular shape of the sanding pads worked really well and let me sand even in tight corners I could not reach with my circular sander.

What can be better? It comes with a 6 foot cord. I found it to be too short and had to use an extension cord. It would have been nice if the cord was longer.

I liked working with it and looked to see if replacement sandpaper pads are available on Amazon. I found an accessory kit which includes more pads VonHaus 38 Piece Multi-Tool Accessory Kit but no sanding pads by themselves. I contacted the manufacturer to ask if a product with just the pads is available, and was told that pads by other manufacturer fit this unit as long as the size of the pads is the same, for example these pads fit Bosch SDTR120 Triangle 5-Pack. This 5 pack is $3 at the time I am writing this review.

Overall, I like it! It will make this spring time clean up a lot easier.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.



Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Pyle PLDM22 Handheld Laser Distance Meter with Backlit LCD

This laser meter is very accurate. It is rated to be accurate with 1/16 of an inch. The key to getting a good reading is to position the back of the unit (i.e. the side opposite to where the laser is emitted) where you want the measuring to begin. The meter is 5 inches long so if you think you are measuring from the front of the unit it would look like the measurement is 5 inches off.

I started by measuring the accuracy on the gridded mat which is 18 inches long. As you in attached video I placed the laser meter one inch into the grid and got a reading of 17" inches. In all experiments with different distances and different background colors the measurements were accurate.

I also liked that the I could turn on back lighting on the meter, so I could see the numbers very clearly. The meter comes with study canvas pouch, which has a loop on the back so you can carry it on a belt or hang on something when you need free hands.

The laser meter runs on two AAA batteries (which are included). It auto-shut offs after 3 minute of inactivity.

The unit is 5.1" x 2.16" x 1.1" and is splash proof.

Pyle laser meter has quite a few functions: it can measure as a single measure, do continuous measuring, perform additions and subtractions of the measurements, it can calculate areas, volumes, Pythagoras (given 2 sides of a triangle calculate the length of the third side) and so forth. I found the manual explained the functions clearly.

The only negative I can say is that the laser meter has no memory of my settings. For example, when I switch units to inches the next time I turn it back on the units go back to meters, so I have to reset it every time.

Overall, I am impressed. Very accurate measurements and it is easy to use.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: 3M Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape, .75-Inch by 66-Feet

In this order I received Scotch 3M tape (3/4 inch wide and 66 feet long) in a plastic storage container. I attached a photo of the tape and the container which can be found by following 'customer photos' link under the main photo.

I  always have electrical tape in my tool box. Electrical tape does a nice job preventioning shorts, which can start fires as well as stop electrocutions if the live wire is touched by someone.  I use it on various wire-related small projects I do at the house.

Electrical tape can too old. How can you tell? I noticed that my old tape became tacky on both sides and lost some of its elasticity. I purchased this new tape and was quite pleased that it came in the plastic container. I already used the tape on a project, and it is nicely tacky and holds well.

Electrical tape is applied to a wire by rolling the tape the wire in a coil-like fashion. It is important to overlap each layer so there are no gaps to ensure good insulation and to keep moisture or condensation from reaching the wire. While wrapping the tape I pull on it slightly so its elastic property is engaged. The tape's elasticity helps keep it tight and snug to the wire.

Electrical tape comes in several colors. Black electrical tape is most common, it does not indicate any color code. It can be used outdoors as it impervious to ultraviolet radiation, which can damage colored electrical tape. White or grey used to indicate neutral wires, green or yellow/green stripe indicate grounding wires.

The tape works well, I like the container, the price is reasonable. I am very pleased with this purchase.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.



Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: SKIL 2364-02 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

I have had this drill for over a year. It is still holding its original charge despite being used for all the small chores that need a drill around the house. I am very pleased with it.
I am attaching a collage of 3 numbered photos under customer photos that I will be referencing in this review.

I LIKE:
----------
1. This drill is light, easy to hold, and easy to work with even in awkward places. Photo#1 shows this drill on a postal scale, and you can see that it wights 1 pound 7.1 oz.
This is the main reason I bought the drill (due to back surgery it was painful for me to hold the bigger heavier Black&Decker drill I have) and it totally lived up to my expectations.

2. The shape of the drill is very compact and ergonomically comfortable. Photo #2 shows me holding the drill. I wear gloves size small for size, so my hands are pretty small.

3. This drill has excellent battery. It has Lithum-Ion battery Holds a charge for up to 18 months. I have had it well over a year, used it for a number of small projects, used it again this weekend it still works.

4. I recharged it this weekend, and liked that it has an indicator when it is fully charged. My old drill just has an indicator that it is charging, and never tells me when it is done. (Drill charger is included in the set)

5. This drill has a nice number of clutch settings, and lets me set driving power perfect for a specific task.

6. The drill has has 2 speeds

7. I like having forward and reverse indicators to be sure I have the right setting

8. It comes with a nice canvas carrying case 9.7 x 7.8 x 2.8 inches, which I show closed in in photo #3, and opened in the background of photo #2. The case has Velcro to hold the drill and the charger. And a mesh pocket on the cover to hold the bits.

I DON'T LIKE:
----------------------

1. This drill cannot handle a 3/8 chuck for 1/2 inch drill. In a couple of my projects I needed a bigger chuck and had to go back to the big old drill. I know, they probably could not keep it this small if it needed to handle 3/8 inch chuck but I did not realize this restriction when I bought the drill.

2. It does not have a neutral position. It only has forward and reverse. My Black and Decker drill has a neutral position: if the switch is in neural position when I squeeze the trigger the drill does nothing so I
cannot engage it accidentally. This options is not available in SKIL 2364-02.

Overall, I am very pleased with this drill and recommend it.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★